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Council flips switch on $850K in sports field lighting

'This is considered a prudent use of City funds and the work is certainly needed.'
20180620veteransfieldrenoslights
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The installation of new lights at Veterans Field could be the extra-innings base hit local baseball and sports tourism groups have been hoping for.

North Bay City Councillor Dave Mendicino spoke on behalf of sports user groups, saying he is hearing they are extremely happy with the rebuild to date, and they "view Veterans as one of our prime fields for baseball and these upgrades will just complete the project."

At a special meeting of council Thursday, North Bay City Council unanimously awarded a contract to Bernard Rochefort Limited in the amount of $849,300.00 for a new sports field lighting system for Veterans Field.

Coun. Chris Mayne, who chairs the Infrastructure and Operations Committee  said prior to the vote, "This is considered a prudent use of City funds and the work is certainly needed."

The Rochefort bid was the lowest of three received and the City of North Bay's Purchasing Department's report stated, "The quote from Bernard Rochefort Limited was the lowest bid and provides the best overall value to the City. Their bid is considered fair and reasonable."

Originally estimated in 2018 to be a half-million-dollar reconstruction project focusing largely on the baseball side of the sports complex, the completed rebuild saw upgrades to the irrigation and drainage system. The ball field's outfield, pitcher's mound, home plate, fencing, and warning track have all been rehabilitated or replaced. Synthetic turf has been installed in the infield and benches and bleachers have been replaced.

During Thursday's virtual meeting, Chair of the Community Services Committee, Coun. Johanne Brousseau updated the project cost at "$700,000 capital dollars," to date — before the lighting contract. 

With the approval, the baseball diamond and soccer pitch will soon be augmented by a new LED lighting system featuring wireless control, allowing for the system to be monitored remotely. The report to council states work at Veterans complex will be complete once the $850,000 in lighting is installed.

Mayne confirmed the "report from staff shows existing lighting has reached end of life. The current light fixtures are old technology — they're difficult to replace. The concrete poles are tilting and damage from salt penetration has been noted along the bases of a number of the existing poles."

Coun. Mike Anthony stated he was hopeful the project could have been "pushed off," but after reading the report, "the biggest concern for me was the concrete poles tilting," and the safety aspect.

Mayne explained funds previously allocated for lighting at Lennox and Graham fields will be used to help pay for the project.

"Parts salvaged from the current lighting system at Veterans will be used to maintain other existing sports field lighting systems — and hopefully push off some of those repairs into the future."


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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